JP2007051342A - Frame - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a frame capable of suppressing the deflection of a mask. <P>SOLUTION: A rib member 3 of the frame has an upwardly projecting arch shape, and any downward deflection of the rib member caused by the thermal expansion can be prevented when the rib member is exposed to the high-temperature environment during the film deposition. Further, when a top face of an arch part 4 of the rib member 3 is abutted on a bottom face of a mask 6, a force for pushing the mask 6 upwardly with respect to the mask 6, in other words, a force for pressing the mask 6 against a bottom face of a substrate 8 is exerted from the rib member 3; and even when the mask 6 is thermally expanded during the film deposition and deflected downwardly, the mask 6 is supported by the frame via the rib member 3, and the deflection of the mask 6 is suppressed thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a frame, and more particularly to a frame that is disposed under a mask for pattern transfer and reinforces the mask.

Conventionally, when forming an EL (electroluminescence) element or the like by laminating a plurality of thin films by a thin film forming method such as plasma CVD, a thin plate-like mask having a predetermined opening pattern has been used. For example, a mask supported on a frame-shaped frame is brought into contact with the lower surface of the substrate, and a thin film having a predetermined pattern is formed on the lower surface of the substrate by performing film formation from below the mask through the opening of the mask. be able to.
However, since the mask is exposed to a high-temperature environment during such a film formation process, the thermal expansion of the mask cannot be ignored. At this time, the substrate is in contact with the upper portion of the mask, so that the thermal expansion occurs. The mask thus bent will bend downward. When such mask deflection occurs, it becomes difficult to accurately transfer the pattern.

  Thus, for example, in the thin film forming method disclosed in Patent Document 1, one end of a frame that supports the mask is fixed to a fixed object, and a tension applying unit is attached to the other end of the frame, and the tension applying unit is interposed through the frame. It has been proposed to suppress the bending of the mask by applying tension to the mask and pulling the mask laterally.

JP 2000-160323 A

  However, when the tension applying means is provided as in Patent Document 1, not only the configuration is complicated, but the tension applying means is operated and applied to the mask every time the mask is placed in contact with the lower surface of the substrate. There was a problem that it was necessary to adjust the tension.

Further, without providing the tension applying means as described above, a rib member is bridged over an opening formed inside the frame-shaped frame, and the rib member is brought into contact with the lower surface of the mask to support the mask, It is considered to suppress the downward deflection of the mask.
However, this rib member is also exposed to a high temperature environment during the film forming process and thermally expands. At this time, the substrate is in contact with the upper part of the rib member via the mask, so the rib member is also the same as the mask. Will bend downward. Therefore, there is a problem that even if such a frame with rib members is used, the bending of the mask is not suppressed.
The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a frame capable of suppressing the bending of the mask.

  A frame according to the present invention includes a frame member formed in a frame shape and having an opening therein, and a rib member that spans the opening of the frame member, and is disposed below a mask having a predetermined opening pattern. The frame that reinforces the mask by supporting the lower surface of the lever mask includes a bending preventing means for preventing the rib member from bending downward due to thermal expansion.

As the bending preventing means, the rib member can be formed in advance in an arch shape protruding upward.
Further, the rib member can be bent and deformed so as to protrude upward by thermal expansion as a means for preventing deflection. For example, the rib member may be curved and deformed so as to protrude upward by thermal expansion by forming a cut on the upper surface of the rib member or forming the rib member from a plurality of layers having different thermal expansion coefficients. it can.

The frame member and the rib member can be formed integrally with each other.
Further, the frame member and the rib member may be formed separately from each other, and an escape portion may be formed at a connection portion between the frame member and the rib member as a deflection preventing means.
Also, a plurality of rib members can be provided, and at this time, it is preferable to provide a deflection preventing means corresponding to each rib member.

  According to this invention, the bending of the mask can be suppressed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Each drawing schematically shows each configuration, and the size, heat ratio, and the like are different from actual ones.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a frame according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This frame is for supporting a mask used when forming an EL (electroluminescence) element by laminating a plurality of thin films by a thin film forming method such as plasma CVD. This mask has a frame member 1 formed in a rectangular frame shape, and an opening 2 is formed inside the frame member 1. In addition, a rib member 3 is bridged across the opening 2 at an intermediate portion of the opening 2 of the frame member 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the rib member 3 includes an arch portion 4 that is formed in an arch shape that protrudes upward with respect to the frame member 1, and a pair of fixing portions that are respectively disposed at both ends of the arch portion 4. 5, and each fixing portion 5 is fixed to the frame member 1.

  A mask 6 having a predetermined opening pattern is placed on the frame having such a configuration, and the substrate 8 disposed on the ceiling surface 7 of the film forming chamber as shown by a broken line arrow in FIG. The mask 6 is pushed upward by the frame so that the upper surface of the mask 6 is brought into contact with the film formation surface of the lower surface of the substrate 8 and the frame is held in this state. At this time, the frame member 1 of the frame faces the peripheral portion of the mask 6, the rib member 3 is in contact with the intermediate portion of the lower surface of the mask 6, and the rib member 3 does not interfere with the transfer of the opening pattern of the mask 6. Is arranged.

Here, since the rib member 3 of the frame has an arch shape protruding upward, it is not bent downward even if it is exposed to a high-temperature environment and thermally expands during the film forming process.
Further, the upper surface of the arch portion 4 of the rib member 3 is in contact with the lower surface of the mask 6, and the force that pushes the mask 6 upward from the rib member 3 to the mask 6, that is, the mask 6 is pressed against the lower surface of the substrate 8. Therefore, even if the mask 6 is thermally expanded during film formation and tries to bend downward, the mask 6 is supported by the frame via the rib member 3, thereby suppressing the downward bending of the mask 6. can do.
Therefore, the pattern can be transferred with high accuracy.

Incidentally, the frame member 1 and the rib member 3 constituting the frame can be formed SUS, invar, kovar, alumina and a material such as SiO _2.
The mask 6 can also be formed from the same material as that of the frame. In particular, if the mask 6 is formed from a material having a low thermal expansion coefficient, it is possible to suppress deformation due to thermal expansion.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a frame according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This frame includes a rib member 12 having a plurality of cuts 11 on the upper surface thereof instead of the arch-shaped rib member 3 in the frame according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3A, the rib member 12 has a flat upper surface and a lower surface, and a plurality of cuts 11 are formed on the upper surface of the rib member 12 at intervals in the middle. . In FIG. 3A, the rib member 12 at normal temperature is shown.

When this rib member 12 is exposed to a high temperature environment during film formation and thermally expands, as shown in FIG. 3B, the notch 11 on the upper surface opens and the rib member 12 warps. That is, the rib member 12 is curved and deformed so as to protrude upward with respect to the frame member 1, thereby preventing the rib member 12 from being bent downward as in the first embodiment.
Therefore, even if the mask 6 supported on the frame tries to bend downward due to thermal expansion, the mask 6 is supported by the frame via the rib member 12, thereby suppressing the downward bending of the mask 6.

  In addition, although the some notch 11 was formed only in the intermediate part of the rib member 12 upper surface, the some notch 11 may be formed over the whole upper surface of the rib member 12 instead.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Next, a frame according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). This frame includes the rib member 23 having the first layer 21 and the second layer 22 having different thermal expansion coefficients in place of the arch-shaped rib member 3 in the frame according to the first embodiment. is there. As shown in FIG. 4A, the rib member 23 includes a first layer 21 and a second layer 22 that are integrally formed with each other in the vertical direction, and has a flat upper surface and a lower surface. The first layer 21 is disposed on the upper side of the mask 6 and the second layer 22 is disposed on the lower side opposite to the mask 6, and the first layer 21 is larger than the second layer 22. It has a thermal expansion coefficient. In FIG. 4A, the rib member 23 at normal temperature is shown.

When the rib member 23 is exposed to a high temperature environment during the film formation process and thermally expands, as shown in FIG. 4B, the rib member 23 is caused by a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the first layer 21 and the second layer 22. Then, the rib member 23 warps upward. That is, the rib member 23 is curved and deformed so as to protrude upward with respect to the frame member 1, thereby preventing the rib member 23 from being bent downward as in the first embodiment.
Therefore, even if the mask 6 supported on the frame tries to bend downward due to thermal expansion, the mask 6 is supported by the frame via the rib member 23, thereby suppressing the downward bending of the mask 6.

For example, the first layer 21 can be made of SUS, and the second layer 22 can be made of invar having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the first layer 21. Further, the present invention is not limited to these materials, as long as the first layer 21 has a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the second layer 22 and the rib member 23 can be configured to warp during thermal expansion. The first layer 21 and the second layer 22 can be formed from various materials.
Moreover, although the rib member 23 is formed of two layers, it is also possible to form a rib member by integrating three or more layers having different thermal expansion coefficients from each other. For example, if the rib member is formed by disposing the layer closer to the mask 6 so as to have a larger thermal expansion coefficient, it is configured to warp during thermal expansion.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Next, a frame according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This frame includes the frame member 31 and the rib member 32 formed separately from each other in place of the frame member 1 and the rib member 3 that are integrally formed with each other in the frame according to the first embodiment. A relief portion 33 is formed at a connection portion with the rib member 32. Here, the rib member 32 has a flat upper surface and lower surface. Further, the frame member 31 is formed with a relief portion 33 that is cut out in a concave shape at a portion where both ends of the rib member 32 are connected. When both end portions of the rib member 32 are inserted into the pair of relief portions 33, the respective end portions of the rib members 32 are loosely fitted into the corresponding relief portions 33 and supported by the bottom surface of the relief portion 33. The member 32 is bridged over the opening 34 of the frame member 31.

In this frame, even if the rib member 32 is thermally expanded by being exposed to a high temperature environment during the film forming process, both end portions of the rib member 32 are loosely fitted in the corresponding relief portions 33. Since the thermal expansion of the rib member 32 is released by the portion 33, the rib member 32 is not stretched and bent with respect to the frame member 31, and thus the rib member 32 is bent downward as in the first embodiment. Can be prevented.
Therefore, even if the mask 6 supported on the frame tries to bend downward due to thermal expansion, the frame 6 is supported by the rib member 32 and the frame member 31 of the frame being in contact with the lower surface of the mask 6. Is prevented from bending downward.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
Next, a frame according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This frame includes the rib member 41 formed in an arch shape in place of the rib member 32 extending linearly in the frame according to the fourth embodiment. The rib member 41 has an arch portion 42 formed in an arch shape protruding upward with respect to the frame member 31 and a pair of support portions 43 respectively disposed at both ends of the arch portion 42. Each support portion 43 is loosely fitted into and supported by the corresponding relief portion 33 of the frame member 31.

With this configuration, not only the thermal expansion of the rib member 41 is released by the escape portion 33, but also the rib member 41 has an arch shape protruding upward, so that the rib member 41 is lowered downward due to thermal expansion. Deflection is reliably prevented.
Further, since the upper surface of the arch portion 42 of the rib member 41 abuts against the lower surface of the mask 6 and a pushing force acts on the mask 6, the downward bending of the mask 6 can be further suppressed.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where one rib member 3, 12, and 23 is provided has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the two members spanned over the opening 2 of the frame member 1 are used. The rib members 3, 12, and 23 can also be provided. Moreover, you may have three or more rib members 3,12,23.
Similarly, in the above-described fourth and fifth embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to have two rib members 32 and 41 spanning the opening 34 of the frame member 31. It is preferable to provide a relief portion 33 at each portion of the frame member 31 to which both ends of the rib members 32 and 41 are connected. Further, three or more rib members 32 and 41 may be provided.

Further, in the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, a rib member 51 spanned in a cross shape with respect to the opening 2 of the frame member 1 and other rib members spanned in various other shapes are used. You can also.
Similarly, in Embodiments 4 and 5, a rib member that spans the opening 34 of the frame member 31 in a cross shape or other various shapes can be used.
In addition, it is preferable that a rib member has arrangement | positioning, a shape, a dimension, etc. which do not prevent transcription | transfer of the opening pattern of the mask 6. FIG.

It is a top view which shows the flame | frame which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which supported the mask with the flame | frame of FIG. The frame which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of normal temperature, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of thermal expansion. The frame which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention is shown, (a) is sectional drawing which shows the state at normal temperature, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state at the time of thermal expansion. It is a top view which shows the flame | frame which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the flame | frame which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the flame | frame which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the flame | frame which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the flame | frame which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the flame | frame which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1,31 frame member, 2,34 opening, 3,12,23,32,41,51 rib member, 4,42 arch part, 5 fixing part, 6 mask, 7 ceiling surface, 8 substrate, 11 notch, 21 1 layer, 22 second layer, 33 relief, 43 support.

Claims (8)

A frame member that has a frame shape and has an opening therein and a rib member that spans the opening of the frame member, and is disposed under the mask having a predetermined opening pattern to support the lower surface of the mask In the frame that reinforces the mask by
A frame comprising: a bending prevention means for preventing the rib member from bending downward due to thermal expansion.   The frame according to claim 1, wherein the bending prevention means is formed in advance in an arch shape in which the rib member protrudes upward.   The frame according to claim 1, wherein the bending prevention means is configured to bend and deform the rib member so as to protrude upward due to thermal expansion.   The frame according to claim 3, wherein the bending preventing means is formed with a cut in an upper surface of the rib member.   The said bending prevention means forms the said rib member from several layers from which a thermal expansion coefficient mutually differs, and has a thermal expansion coefficient large, so that the layer near the said mask has a larger thermal expansion coefficient. Frame.   The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame member and the rib member are integrally formed with each other.   The said frame member and the said rib member consist of mutually separate bodies, The said bending prevention means formed the escape part in the connection part with the said rib member of the said frame member, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Frame.   The frame according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a plurality of the rib members, and comprising the deflection preventing means corresponding to each of the rib members.

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